Usual traffic:Greater Anglia class 317 EMUs (2 each way per hour weekday), Central Trains class 158 and 170 DMUs (1 each way per hour). A little freight - some DB Schenker stone traffic to Bishops Stortford and Harlow, plus some infrastructure trains. Steam specials are not uncommon ('Cathedrals Express' to Ely or Norwich), and Whittlesford is the nearest station to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.

Environment

Single shift staffed station, close to housing.

Road directions

Whittlesford station is a short distance from Whittlesford village, and is very close to the A505 road, east of M11 junction 10. From the M11 head east and turn left just after crossing the railway (signposted Whittlesford station). Alternatively, turn left before the railway bridge (it is the 3rd left turn after the M11 roundabout) and then turn 1st right to the other side of the station.

The line runs almost north - south, but curves gently through the station.For southbound trains, shoot from the northbound platform, either at the north end (watch for shadows late in the day) with a standard or short telephoto lens, or coming through the station (watch for shadows from the station buildings and footbridge) - the light is right during the afternoon, but the sun comes off the nose during the early evening.

For northbound trains, shoot from the southbound platform, either at the south end (under the A505 bridge) with a standard or short telephoto lens, or coming through the station - the light is right in the morning, but will be off the nose except for very early; however, shadows are not a problem with the platform end shot.

There are also head-on shots in both directions from the other platforms - northbound trains from the northbound platform in the afternoon, and southbound trains from the southbound platform in the morning.

Videoing northbound trains is especially good as you get a good view of the approaching train, but there is some traffic noise from the A505 which crosses the south end of the platforms.

This view shows a southbound train, taken looking north from the end of the northbound platform. The date is 24th June 1995, and the loco is class A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.

Fig 2 - Looking south

This view shows a northbound train, taken looking south from the end of the southbound platform. To frame the loco in this position needs a lens of 85mm or just less focal length (for 35mm). The date is 9th November 2002, and the B1 is working a Past Time Rail special from Liverpool Street to King's Lynn.

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